Novak Djokovic has allayed fears about his injured right ankle ahead of the start of the European claycourt season.

Last Updated: 15/04/13 5:39pm

Djokovic rolled the joint during Serbia's Davis Cup win over the United States but a scan cleared him of serious injury.

He will wait until Tuesday to make a decision on his participation at the Monte Carlo Masters, which takes place in his adopted home town.

Djokovic told Sky Sports News: "The condition of the ankle is getting better, it is more positive than negative and better than I actually expected it to be at the beginning of the week when I had a first MRI scan.

"There hasn't been any big damage which is encouraging for this week and hopefully I can be part of the tournament because it's one of my favourites.

"I live in this place and have lots of friends who come and support. They give me even more inspiration and motivation to be part of the event."

Djokovic has a bye through the first round in the principality and is due on court on Wednesday against either Mikhail Youzhny or Daniel Gimeno-Traver.

Top rank

Djokovic holds a lead of 3,750 points over second-ranked Andy Murray at the top of the world rankings.

Murray, who went above Roger Federer into a career-high position with victory at the Miami Masters at the end of March, accepts it will be tough for him to overhaul Djokovic.

"Going from two to one is a very hard step to make," said the Scot, who will start his Monte Carlo Masters campaign against either Robin Haase or Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

"I'm going to have to put in a lot of work and be very, very consistent on all of the surfaces through whole year if I want to have a chance of that."

Murray is in the same half of the draw as world number five Rafael Nadal, who is going for his ninth straight Monte Carlo Masters title.